---
title: "Hajj to Mecca"
description: "Six-in-ten American Muslims say making a pilgrimage to Mecca is very important."
date: "2008-12-09"
authors:
  - name: "Russell Heimlich"
    job_title: "Former web developer"
    link: "https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/russell-heimlich/"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2008/12/09/hajj-to-mecca/"
---

# Hajj to Mecca

As Muslims from around the world gather in Mecca this week for the Hajj, an annual pilgrimage to the holiest city in Islam, 63% of American Muslims say making the pilgrimage is very important. Every able-bodied Muslim is expected to make the pilgrimage — one of the Five Pillars of Islam — at least once in his or her lifetime, and the Hajj attracts millions of believers every year. A small minority of American Muslims (15%) say this practice is “not too” or “not at all important.” [Read More](https://www.pewresearch.org/pubs/483/muslim-americans)